The Gambia Police Force (GPF) last Wednesday awarded certificates of appreciation to two personalities Mr. Serge .C. Khaki, chief technical officer and Ebrima Barry director of administration and logistics from Africell one of the leading GSM telecommunication company in The Gambia. The award was meant to cement the already existing cordial relationship between the Gambia police and Affricell as a company. The ceremony was held to at the police headquarters in Banjul.

In his handed over remarks, Deputy Inspector General Inspector of Police, Modou Gaye, asserted that Africell telecommunication company has been very supportive to The Gambia Police Force for sometime now in terms of communication systems. He said Africell has gave us the lines without cost, ‘he said Africell management feels that there cannot be any meaningfully development without proper security in place. DIG further added his office sees Africell as partners in development, and their doors are opened for the all stakeholders.

He said the gesture is really indeed welcomed by his office.

Other attendees at the presentation were security chiefs, police advisers, commissioner of finance, PRO of police, commissioner of administration and officers commanding license department.

UNICEF presented the 2008 International Day of Broadcasting (ICDB) Awards to China Central Television and Ghana Broadcasting Corporation.
The television and radio broadcasters won the awards for programmes focusing on the theme The World We Want and demonstrating dedication to young people’s participation in the media.

“We are very impressed with the high quality of programming from all of our nominees, and their commitment to supporting and developing youth-produced media,” said Karen Cirillo, UNICEF’s Executive Producer for Children’s Broadcasting Initiatives. “The winners of the ICDB in both radio and television reflect a creative vision for the inclusion of youth voices and youth participation.”

The awards ceremony was held on 10 November 2008 at Aquavit Restaurant in New York and was hosted by international journalist Femi Oke. 
China Central Television’s winning entry, “On the Road,” was a short documentary that features the stories of nine children in China coming from diverse backgrounds. The documentary uses these children’s often long and difficult journeys to and from school to explore their dedication to education and their aspirations for themselves and their families.

This year’s other television nominees are Channel I (Bangladesh, “The Winner”), KI.KA - Der Kinderkanal von ARD und ZDF (Germany, “TRICKBOXX in Arabia”), Channels Television (Nigeria, “ICDB 2007 – The World We Want”), Asociacion Nacional de Television Red TV (Peru, “Napa”) and Spacetoons Kids TV (Arabic Region, Iraq, “The World We Want”). 

Ghana Broadcasting Corporation’s winning entry was a series of radio programmes dedicated to the ICDB theme of The World We Want. It included their year-round youth produced programme, “Uniq Curious Minds,” comprised of news reports filed by young people, a feature on a young reporter, and a discussion among youth reporters about relevant social issues affecting young people in Ghana today, such as HIV/AIDS and education reform.

The other radio nominees are Radio Nacional de Angola (Angola, “The World We Want”),  Rádio MEC, a broadcast service of EBC - Empresa Brasil de Comunicação (Brazil, “Radio MEC no Dia Internacional da Crianca no Radio e na TV”), Radio Beijing Corporation (China, “Listen to Children, Listen to Nature”), Islamic Republic of Iran (IRIB) Radio Broadcasting (Iran, “Radio Tiny”) and Equal Access Nepal (Nepal, “Chatting with my Best Friend”).
Next year’s edition of the ICDB Awards will be held on 1 March. Its theme will be: Unite for Children – Tune in to Kids!

About ICDB:
The ICDB was launched in 1991 to encourage broadcasters worldwide to create awareness for children’s issues. Each December, these youth write, report, produce and present programmes that allow them to express their thoughts on the issues that affect them. In 1994, the International Children’s Day of Broadcasting Award was established to honor the broadcaster who best embraces the spirit of the ICDB. Starting next year, the date of the awards will be moved to the first Sunday in March to allow for more participation. 
  
About UNICEF:
UNICEF is on the ground in over 150 countries and territories to help children survive and thrive, from early childhood through adolescence. The world’s largest provider of vaccines for developing countries, UNICEF supports child health and nutrition, safe water and sanitation, quality basic education for all boys and girls, and the protection of children from violence, exploitation, and AIDS. UNICEF is funded entirely by the voluntary contributions of individuals, businesses, foundations and governments.

UNICEF  

Tiger United beat German Boys 1-0 on Sunday to clinch the Serrekunda West league title. In a well attended final at the West Mini-stadium, the Koto-based team dashed German Boys’ title hope as their lone goal proved to be the match decider.

As champions, Tigers received a giant trophy and a cash prize of D20,000 (twenty thousand dalasis), whilst German Boys solaced themselves with a consolation prize of D10,000.

Earlier on Friday, Luzan United enjoyed a 2-0 win against Gintos FC to emerge as the champions of the Hatib Janneh sponsored knock-out competition. As winners, Luzan went home D10,000 (ten thousand dalasis) richer, while Gintos received D7,000 (seven thousand) as runners up.

In what can be described as a positive development for the country’s  Arts and Culture industry, Mr Babucarr Etu Ndow, a renowned Gambian  artist, was awarded by the China Ministry of Culture,  Arts Association and Architectural Society of China.

This somewhat rare artistic award for a Gambian born artist came at the end of his 40-day participation in the  9th edition of the famous Changchun International Sculpture Arts Exhibition and Symposium, held from 26th July to 5th September 2008 in China.

The Changchun International Arts Exhibition, which started in 1997, this year brought together over 42 internationally renowned artists throughout  the world.  A  total of 8 artists were selected from Africa to participate in this global exhibition. All  participants had the golden and unique opportunity to exhibit and permanently place their art works in the Changchun World Sculpture Park.

The erudite artist  had exhibited and placed his   work entitled “Spirit of Hope’’  alongside the Gambian  flag in the famous Changchun World Sculpture Park. This art exhibition centre  is expected to be visited by  millions of visitors.

According to a statement  written on a certificate  issued by the government of China in collaboration with the  Arts Association, Architecture Society of China, and the National Guiding Committee for Urban and Sculpture Institute  of China, Mr Babucarr Etu Ndow’s artist work will be  permanently  displayed  in the Changchun World Sculpture Park. The statement further noted that this  certificate was specially  awarded to Mr Babucarr Etu Ndow.

Reacting to the award, Mr Babucarr Etu Ndow described his participation in the exhibition as a veritable guide to the much talked about issue of promotion, development and preservation of the spirit of arts and culture in The Gambia, Africa and the world at large. He added that the award was a real pride to him, the entire Gambian art industry and to all Gambians and non-Gambians.

“Its a place that calls or engages your sense of sight. Its a real manifestation of the famous saying that “Artist are the conscience of the nation and society”. There was a high spirit and adoration of human creativity, especially in the world of arts and culture.

The exhibition explored the real beauty of artistic work in a more systematic and professional way desirable at both local and international level,’’ Mr Etu Ndow explained.

According to Mr Ndow, this is the first time that a Gambian flag  and  the  work of a Gambian artist  is being permanently  displayed  and exhibited at such an  international artistic  centre.

Mr Etu Ndow, further described the China arts exhibition as a real cutting edge experience for  an artist, as it brought together art critics, experts and other prominent personalities  in the world of arts. As he graphically put it, the art exhibition was held in a very peaceful atmosphere coupled with a deep sense of love for art works and the world  of creativity.

“The programme is geared towards bridging the cultural divide, building on  the much needed  and  talked about spirit of  love, peace  and unity  amongst people of the world. The event was characterised by  extensive  brainstorming on topical issues confronting the world of arts, especially on the need  to share ideas, technology  and other issues,” he said.

He further stated that the next might be  held in the  next three or so years. “I was well received and respected by both the organisers and other participants at the 9th edition of the famous Changchun  arts exhibition. The exhibition was a real testing ground for my  level as a professional and I think, that  reflected to a great extent on where I came from, The Gambia. It was an experience that I will never forget. I met with thousands of other well  established  and sprouting artists. I took or gained a lot and gave a lot. It was a really ideal sharing and  learning ground for all the participants,’’ he said.

The Holland Arts exhibition
In a similar development, Mr Babucarr Etu Ndow, is set to leave Gambian soil this week for Holland, where he will join and participate in yet another international arts exhibition. This arts exhibition is organised by  an organisation called The  Better Future, A  charitable  non-governmental organisation (NGO), which aims for, among other things, poverty alleviation, promotion and strengthening of the spirit  of inter-cultural  exchange  between diverse  cultures throughout the world as well as to promote and build on the much needed and talked about  universal peace and love, among  others.

The Holland-based art  exhibition, is expected to last for 8 weeks. Commenting on this exhibition,  Mr Babucarr Etu Ndow described it as yet another success story for the development, promotion and preservation of the spirit of arts and culture in The Gambia, especially the arts industry of the country. “The organisers of this special arts exhibition have extended an invitation to both me and my  little three-year old son, also called Etu Ndow, to attend and participate in it,” he said.

Mr Etu Ndow added that he was greatly moved by the step taken by the organisers of this arts exhibition in extending invitations to both him and his three-year old son. He described the invitation as a clear manifestation of the love, respect and affection the organisers have developed for his art work.
“I am really touched by the move taken by the organisers and I honor them for that and I will live up to expectations,” he said.

According to the renowned Gambian artist, upon  his return from Holland, he intends to concentrate on his art works, especially his newly established  arts project called the Kindergarten Arts, located  at his Tunbung Arts Village Gallery in Tujereng, Kombo North,Western Region (WR).

The Kindergarten Arts project, Mr Babucarr Etu Ndow noted, is another philosophical approach to the world of artistic work. He  assured the Arts and Culture desk of his determination to do his best for the development, promotion and preservation of the spirit of arts and culture in The Gambia, Africa and the world at  large. He added that the Kindergarten Arts project is geared towards the maximum utilisation of potentials in children. The project aims to catch the children young in the world of arts and tap their potentials for the benefit of all.

Mr Ndow, seized the opportunity to call on the government of The Gambia, the private sector and  individual philanthropists to  extend helping hands to the country’s arts industry. He noted that arts is a profession which contributes significantly in the socio-economic, human and political development of any given country, especially a Third World country like The Gambia. He reassured both Gambians and non-Gambians alike of his resolve to work towards the promotion, development and preservation of the spirit of arts and culture in the Gambia, Africa and the world at large.

The Speaker of the National Youth Parliament, the Honorable Lamin F.Bojang, has been awarded the Peace and Love Award by Energy Boys and Girls of the World Federation for Peace and Love based in Taiwan.

He received the said award last Thursday 14th August at the end of the 5th Session of the United Nations Annual Youth Assembly, at the United Nations in New York. Speaker Bojang who was awarded the Peace and Love Medal alongside over a dozen young people from around the world who were commended for their contribution to the development of young people in their respective countries.

 Presenting the medal to the Awardees, Ying – Chen, a member of the Energy Boys and Girls, remarked that her parent organisation is operating worldwide and working to promote world peace and love.

 She noted that her organisation is indeed very grateful to award a medal to outstanding youth personalities whose contribution to world peace through their respective organisations complements world peace and love.

 In receiving the award, Hon. Bojang thanked the Energy Boys and Girls for the encouragement. He called on them to collaborate with young people of The Gambia, as the relationship between the Taiwan and The Gambia is excellent. This he said can be supported through creation of partnership between like-minded organisations in two countries.

Young people, he added, have a major stake in the development of their societies and the world as a whole. He therefore stated that the inculcation of responsible behavior and attitude goes a long way in the promotion and protection of world peace.

The NGO-CSO Network on tobacco control in The Gambia is currently holding a three-day strategic planning workshop for its members at the President’s International Awards Hall in Bakau.

Speaking at the occasion, the chairman of the Network, Sambujang Conteh, said the idea of creating such an institution emerged following the recognition of the fact that no single entity can win the war against tobacco. He noted that since the tobacco industry is powerful and well established, coupled with the popularity of tobacco products, a united force is needed to confront it.

He stated that the NGO- CSO network on tobacco control in The Gambia has a vision of transforming The Gambia into a tobacco free society saying, “this trouble of tobacco is everywhere in our society. Even those who abuse or use it agree that it’s harmful to their health but they cannot drop the habit of tobacco consumption.”

Mr. Conteh disclosed that during the three days participants will validate the results of their four months of consultations in developing a comprehensive strategic document which, according to him, will effectively guide and support their process of achieving the WHO Framework convention on tobacco control.

For his part, Momodou Gassama, health information and promotion officer (WHO office), said tobacco is currently the second major cause of death in the world adding that it kills one in ten people globally. This accounts for five million deaths every year.

He stated that tobacco accounts for more deaths than malaria, maternal conditions and injuries combined.

Other speakers at the occasion were Hon Adama Cham, Mr. Adeola Akinremi, Alh. Cham and DPS at the Department of State for Health Alh Saihou Janneh.